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MSI ditches Intel for AMD

In a grown-up netbook
Thursday, 20 August 2009, 15:58

MSI HAS SWITCHED from Intel to AMD processors in its unannounced x610 ultra slim-line Airbook-alike laptop, with diminished performance as a direct result.

Of course, switching from Intel to AMD is quite normal for PC makers when they want to introduce a budget machine. But we think it's unusual in a netbook, where Intel's CPUs have ruled the roost.

Russian tech site 3DNews review has reviewed the x610 X-Slim series laptop even before it's been officially announced by MSI. The reviewers discovered that the CPU change has put a dent in performance and driven down battery life to two hours for the sake of a cost saving.

CPU and PCMark05 benchmarks from the review shows the real loss in performance from the Intel switch to AMD, as seen here.

MSI has replaced the Intel 1.4GHz Core2 Solo SU3500 processor, as used in the current x600, with the AMD 1.6GHz Athlon MV-40.

At the time of writing, MSI was unable to comment on this, or whether it will be repeated in other MSI devices. µ

L'Inq
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Comments
Bullshit!

This is bullshit! Reviewing a product only base on its CPU and reviewer has never tried the Intel CPU one either. It’s a low cost product, of course there's going to be drawbacks. I know it’s slow, but you have to consider the price.
If you can just look up the performance scores on each of the CPU, u will find Intel Core2 Solo U3500 @ 1.40GHz is much slower than AMD 1.6GHz Athlon MV-40. Just because Intel is the bigger company and owns the performance crown with their i7 doesn’t mean it always has the faster CPU in any given price range. Personally I think AMD has the performance/price lead.
Data from http://www.cpubenchmark.net/

posted by : ThirdEye, 20 August 2009 Complain about this comment
dubious review

Why doesnt the review talk about battery life and compare the power consumption between its brother X320/X340 instead. Perhaps there's something to hide? higher TDP, lower overall battery life. I will stay away from this one until more reviews come in.

posted by : alanT79, 20 August 2009 Complain about this comment
Really?

The INQ uses Fudzilla as a source now? Give me strength!

posted by : B Brian, 20 August 2009 Complain about this comment
Fairmount

I feel sorry for AMD. Every one is bad mouthing AMD for no reason.

That is why i will always buy AMD from now on.

My friends Acer AMD Turion X2 still kick ass in every day work when compared to my brand new Centrino 2.

My Centrino cant even play High definition videos properly...

It seems i have been fooled by Intel's marketing.

posted by : Baron, 20 August 2009 Complain about this comment
LOL @ all of the AMDzeliots crying

WAAAHHHH, Intel MUST be paying for a negative article about AMD!!!!!

Seriously, you really do sound like a buncha children. Head back to AMDzone where the other cheerleaders and conspiracy theorists live their unfulfilled lives.

Or simply, GET a LIFE.

posted by : JonQ, 20 August 2009 Complain about this comment
Damagee control (Inquirer biased now?)

JonQ

Your comment is sounds like the typical intel drone.

With the cpu change you gain more power and 3d performance for the money, what's the problem.

This will be worse(for you intel drone) when the new mobile Athlon II come to the market.

Come on inquirer, "gives" from intel?

posted by : Nintendork, 21 August 2009 Complain about this comment
I'M HAPPY TO WATCH CURRENT INQ'S EDITORIAL

Well done Inq. After you ditch your former Editor because you want to become an alliance of evil hegemony. I will see the current editorial policy.

posted by : Surya, 21 August 2009 Complain about this comment
JonQ loves irony

Bah, the comments you've posted just shows how immature, petty, and pathetic you really are.

If anybody needs to get a life, it is you. I've read through the comments - not one person has carried on in the way you have described.

Aaah the wonders of the internet. Hide behind a PC and talk absolutely crap and insult others for no reason, because you can.

Congratulations JonQ. You're the leading example for why birth control should be mandatory.

posted by : Wingus & Dingus, 21 August 2009 Complain about this comment
For JonQ

Actually JonQ what you said is true

"Intel MUST be paying for a negative article about AMD!!!!!"

The EU has fined Intel 1.06 Billion Euros for such activities.

http://www.infopackets.com/news/business/intel/2009/20090514_eu_slaps_intel_with_1_antitrust_fine_amd_reprieved.htm

Its all over the web, Just Google it.

Well, looks like you are the one who has been living in Intel Koo Koo land...

posted by : Baron, 21 August 2009 Complain about this comment
@ B Brian

some of inq editors write for fudzilla as they do for inq, Nick - anti apple editor for example

posted by : hexx, 21 August 2009 Complain about this comment
Some in Denial, Amd needs to hurry up

Amd's latest offering is only about as fast as Intel's chip from 2 years ago. This means amd will have a lot of trouble competing, if they can even compete. These companies budget chips are based on their top technology only scaled back. Obviously if the fastest and best chip isn't as good as their competitor, their entire line will suffer as well. Back when amd had the fastest chip, it was easier for them to offer lesser chips at bargains. But amd has not been keeping up. I know because I build new systems all the time for people. And I always put in the faster/better chip no matter what it is. I just put in a core i7, clocked to 3.8ghz. And it just scorches amd's best chip on the market. And to the person who said bullshit and that the MV-40 was a lot faster than a core duo, I say look a little closer. the core duo will power windows and app far faster than the mv-40.

I noticed a lot of people here are in denial. I say let reality be reality. When amd was in the lead, it seemed there was nothing intel could do in those short 2 years to beat them. Amd even saber rattled and poked fun. Even challenged intel which went ignored. But the reality was, intel wasn't as good that year. Right now, amd has had 13 consecutive quarters of losses. And if they don't do something soon, they will be facing bigger troubles. That's reality. That said, there is no bull shit here. None of Intel paying article writers to write this. Are you some of you people high? lol. Intel doesn't need to do that stuff. They are already in the lead.

I don't know about every amd vs intel chip, dollar per chip value, but at this point the margin between budget and high performance is very slim/squeezed. The reason it is, is that intel keeps dropping their prices. A $380 i7, became $280, and now it's $199. So the rest of their budget chips come down with that. Leaving little room for amd to give bargains on their chips which are also slower than intel' currently. The only way amd can fully compete is to create a new technology as intel did that is comparable. Then offer the budget chips, not the other way around. Instead amd is offer deals out of desperation. But I hope amd comes up with some new technology because we can't have just one chip maker. Competition is great.

posted by : zingmoon, 21 August 2009 Complain about this comment
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